Great Smoky Mountains National Park Urges Visitor Preparedness After Surge in Emergencies

Park rangers respond to increased number of backcountry rescues and front-country medical calls in March.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:09pm

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A bold, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style, depicting the sweeping, towering mountains and forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in a conceptual, abstract manner, capturing the grand scale and natural beauty of the environment.The majestic landscapes of Great Smoky Mountains National Park inspire awe, but also require careful preparation to ensure visitor safety.Gatlinburg Today

The National Park Service is urging visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to plan ahead, prepare for changing conditions, and know their personal limits while recreating in the park. Park rangers have responded to a significant volume of backcountry and front-country emergencies in March, including 18 backcountry search and rescue incidents and 15 front-country EMS calls, some requiring air medical transport. The park is reminding hikers that rescue is not a certainty, and many emergencies are preventable with proper preparation.

Why it matters

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., attracting millions of visitors each year. The recent surge in emergency incidents has stretched park ranger resources thin and highlights the importance of visitor preparedness to prevent avoidable incidents and ensure the safety of both park guests and staff.

The details

In March, park rangers responded to 18 backcountry search and rescue incidents, including 2 Tennessee Army National Guard hoist extractions and 4 technical rope rescues. They also responded to 15 front-country EMS calls, with 4 patients transported by UT Medical Center Life Flight. An additional 5 backcountry 911 calls were resolved through phone contact, preventing the need for full rescue responses.

  • In March 2026, park rangers responded to a significant volume of backcountry and front-country emergencies.

The players

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

One of the most visited national parks in the United States, located in Tennessee and North Carolina.

National Park Service

The federal agency responsible for managing and preserving the national parks and monuments.

Tennessee Army National Guard

The National Guard unit for the state of Tennessee, which assisted in 2 hoist extractions in the park.

UT Medical Center Life Flight

An air medical transport service that transported 4 patients from the park in March.

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What’s next

The park's new Preventative Search and Rescue Team, funded by parking tags, will continue their work to share information on hiking safety, prevent emergencies, and respond quickly when help is needed.

The takeaway

This surge in emergency incidents at Great Smoky Mountains National Park highlights the importance for visitors to thoroughly plan their trips, prepare for changing conditions, and know their personal limits when recreating in the backcountry. Proper preparation can help prevent avoidable emergencies and ensure the safety of both park guests and staff.